Dhaka, April 29, 2025 (BSS) – Bangladesh today urged Azerbaijan to make investment in Bangladesh, particularly in apparel, leather, light engineering, agro-food processing, petroleum, ICT, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy sectors.

Dhaka also requested Baku to recruit more skilled and semi-skilled workforces from Bangladesh and offer more scholarships for Bangladeshi students who aspire to pursue higher studies in Azerbaijan.

The urges were made during the second round of Bilateral Consultations between Bangladesh and Azerbaijan at the state Guest House Padma in the capital today, said a foreign ministry’s press release here.

The consultations were co-chaired by Bangladesh foreign secretary Jashim Uddin and Azerbaijan’s deputy foreign minister Elnur Mammadov.

During the consultations, both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction with the growing momentum in political, economic, cultural and multilateral cooperation.

Both sides agreed to sign a few memorandum of understanding covering various areas, including trade, investment, energy, air connectivity, training, and visa exemption for diplomats and government officials.

The two sides also consented to establish a Joint Working Group on Trade to facilitate regular dialogue and expand bilateral trade.

Key areas of discussion included, inter alia, trade and investment, energy cooperation, education and cultural exchanges, and collaboration in regional and multilateral fora.

The Foreign Secretary highlighted the Chief Adviser’s visit to Baku to attend the COP29 climate conference in November last year, and appreciated Azerbaijan’s leadership role in advancing the global climate agenda.

He also mentioned Foreign Adviser’s online participation in the 7th Ministerial Council Meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia held in Baku last December.  

Referring to the discussion held between the Chief Adviser and the Azerbaijani President in November 2024 in Baku, the Foreign Secretary reiterated the need for opening a diplomatic Mission of Azerbaijan in Dhaka.

He requested for finding a suitable alternative to permanently resolve the ongoing visa problem for Bangladeshis who wish to travel to Azerbaijan.

He also made the proposal of introducing direct flights connecting Dhaka and Baku.

Deputy Minister Mammadov briefed the Foreign Secretary on the ASAN and DOST service delivery models that have revolutionized public service provision in Azerbaijan.

In response, the Foreign Secretary asked to explore the possibility of running a pilot project in some parts of Bangladesh under a joint venture.

The Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister also called on the Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and apprised them of the outcome of the Bilateral Consultations.

An eight-member Azerbaijani delegation is on an official visit to participate in the Bilateral Consultations.

The visiting delegation also took part in a roundtable discussion on investment opportunities in Bangladesh at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority.

The next round of Bilateral Consultations between Bangladesh and Azerbaijan will take place in Baku at a mutually convenient time.